MANILA, Philippines – In a bizarre incident that shocked pedestrians and stirred online frenzy, a woman was photographed emerging from a drainage canal at the corner of Rufino and Adelantado Streets in Salcedo Village, Makati City on May 26.
Initially mistaken for a person fleeing from authorities or possibly suffering from mental illness, the viral images sparked everything from alarm to urban legend speculations on social media.
However, the mystery was soon unraveled.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), through its Pag-abot program, launched a mission to locate the woman. By May 29, social workers had successfully traced and identified her as “Rose,” a street dweller who collects recyclable garbage for a living.
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| Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary REX Gatchalian talks with “Rose,” the woman who was seen crawling out of a sewerage in Makati City early this week. |
According to Rose, she entered the sewer not out of delusion or desperation, but to retrieve a small blade cutter—her essential tool for work—that accidentally fell into the drain. The viral photos were taken just as she emerged, clutching the item she had risked so much to recover.
“Nahulugan po ako ng cutter blade kaya pinilit ko pong kunin. Tumingin ako sa paligid kung may mga sasakyan o tao, tapos bumaba po ako para kunin iyon,” she said, explaining how she ended up drawing attention in a busy area.
After realizing that many people were watching her, she panicked.
“Sa sobrang takot ko, bigla na lang akong tumakbo. Umuwi ako agad sa bahay at isinara ko ang pinto,” she added.
After being found, Rose was taken to the DSWD’s Pag-abot Processing Center in Pasay City, where she is now undergoing thorough assessment and will be provided with interventions based on her needs.
Secretary Rex Gatchalian personally met with her and committed to extending support not only to Rose but also to her common-law partner, who works as a barker.
“We will provide livelihood grants to help her and her partner start anew, away from the dangers of the streets,” Gatchalian stated, following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s directive for comprehensive support.
Rose is set to receive Php 80,000 in financial assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to help her start a small sari-sari store business.
Gatchalian said that efforts will continue to locate and persuade other street dwellers in Makati to accept help and begin rebuilding their lives.
The Pag-abot program, which runs 24/7 across Metro Manila, aims to help street-dwelling individuals by offering them temporary shelter, health and livelihood services, and reintegration into society.
In response to the incident, local authorities also inspected the drainage area and sealed off the opening to prevent future incidents.
— The Summit Express